Two-day seminar in Newark to help aspiring food entrepreneurs

Home cooks hoping to turn a profit by whipping up their favorite family recipes can get some expert advice at a two-day seminar in Newark beginning later this month.

Brick City Development Corp. is hosting the seminar as part of its efforts to help Newark's small businesses. The event will take place on Jan. 21 and Feb. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.

At the first session, aspiring food entrepreneurs will learn about some of the logistical hurdles to starting a food business, such as licensing and insurance requirements, as well as how to draft a business plan.

The second session will include a cook-off, complete with prizes.

"Until now, BCDC has provided technical assistance to over 700 aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses," Lyneir Richardson, CEO of BCDC, said in a statement.

"With the Food Entrepreneur Seminar, we expect to provide industry-specific resources to food entrepreneurs," he added. "Our ultimate goal is to sponsor a commercial kitchen in Newark based on models successful in other cities."

And success in the food business is not a pipe dream.

Newark native Carey M. Hamilton, 56, has been working with A&P to get his collard green spring rolls on supermarket shelves through his company, A Taste of Soul.

"We have a lot of exciting things in the works with A&P," Hamilton said in a statement. "Last year, I made around $10,000 out of A Taste of Soul, but next year I'm guessing I'll jump to a six-figure number."

The first seminar, on Jan. 21, will be held on the 26th floor of 744 Broad St.

The Feb. 4 session will be held at the Greater Newark Conservancy at 32 Prince St.